Wizard of Oz role 'unreal' for young performer

The Wizard of Oz, considered by many to be one of the greatest movies and stage musicals, is at Budweiser Gardens for shows Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Presented by Broadway in London, tickets range from $40 to $100 for adults (not including taxes) and as low as $30 for children 2-12, are available at the box office, 99 Dundas St., online at budweisergardens.com or by calling 1-866-455-2849. (Special to Postmedia News)

For a 21-year-old actor, it’s a dream role — playing Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, singing that iconic Judy Garland song, Over the Rainbow.

But that’s where Kalie Kaimann finds herself these days as London’s Budweiser Gardens’ RBC Theatre is transformed into the world of Oz for two shows Saturday and Sunday.

“Ever since I was a child, I’ve idolized Judy Garland, the singer and actor,” said Kaimann in a recent telephone interview.

“It’s so unreal to play such an iconic role in such a class musical. I’ve wanted to do this role since I was eight.”

Kaimann previously played the role of Dorothy in the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati production, as well as Bonnie in Anything Goes, Logainne in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ulla in The Producers, Millie Dilmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Minnie Fay in Hello Dolly!

Everybody’s grown up with the Wizard of Oz. It’s a fun treat to see it on stage, live..

Kalie Kaimann

She received a best featured actress in a musical by BroadwayWorld.com for her performance as Minnie Fay.

Of course, Kaimann wasn’t even born when the Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaption of the 1939 film script — the one being performed here — was staged in London in 1987.

The 1939 film, based on an adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, starred Garland and is considered one of the greatest films ever made, starting in black and white and exploding into colour when Dorothy arrives in Oz delivered by a tornado that ripped her Kansas farm home from its foundation.

Kaimann said audiences are clearly still captivated by the story.

“I think it’s still so popular because it’s just timeless — the music and the story,” said Kaimann.

“Everybody’s grown up with the Wizard of Oz. It’s a fun treat to see it on stage, live.”

Kaimann has been with the tour since October and performed 125 times. Still, she gets chills every night when singing Over The Rainbow.

“It’s Dorothy’s story and I get those jitters every time,” said Kaimann. “It just feels like such an honour to sing every night what I think is the most beautiful ballad ever written. It’s surreal.”

The Wizard of Oz tells the story of Dorothy Gale, who lives in Kansas with her with her dog, Toto, on her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry’s farm. Toto gets in trouble for biting a neighbour, Miss Almira Gulch, who arrives with an order from the sheriff to have the dog destroyed. Toto escapes and Dorothy runs away with him, coming across the kindly Professor Marvel. He convinces Dorothy her aunt is sick and needs her, so Dorothy returns home just as a storm approaches and is knocked unconscious, leading to her fantastic dream where she meets the Wicked Witch of the West, the Good Witch, the Wizard of Oz, Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion.

Kaimann said it’s not unusual for small children to get wrapped up in the story and a little scared when the winged monkeys and the wicked witch arrive in the show.

“There are a few times when you can hear the kids get a little scared, but it’s not a scary show for them, or not much,” said Kaimann.

IF YOU GO

What: The Wizard of Oz, presented by Broadway in London and starring Kalie Kaimann as Dorothy.

When: Saturday, 7 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m.

Where: Budweiser Gardens’ RBC Theatre, 99 Dundas St.

Tickets: Adults ranging in price from $40-$100, children 2-12, $30 for seats priced under $100. Prices don’t include HST), available at the box office, online at budweisergardens.com, or by calling 1-866-455-2849.

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